3 Questions About Mold Growth in Homes

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

Three Questions About Mold Growth

Most homeowners don’t worry about mold until the dreadful day when it’s found inside their Burnt Store, FL, home. Mold is understandably concerning, and it’s wise to take care of it as soon as possible. Fortunately, there is no need to panic because mold remediation specialists are available to help with emergency situations. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about mold growth.

1. Are There Various Types of Mold?

People are familiar with black mold due to its noticeable color; however, there are many types of mold that can be found in a home. The most common molds are Stachybotrys, Mucormycetes and Aspergillus, though there are literally thousands of different mold strains. Homeowners often spot mold because of color or odor. Stachybotrys is commonly known as black mold, Mucormycetes is a fuzzy mold seen on food and air conditioner drip pans and Aspergillus can be found on any damp area in a home.

2. How Can Mold Be Prevented?

Mold is found indoors and outdoors and is a natural part of the environment. Mold only becomes a problem when moisture is present. Knowing that there are thousands of mold strains may cause homeowners to worry; nevertheless, there are simple ways to prevent mold growth. First, reduce the humidity in your home to less than 45 percent.

Homes with high humidity are susceptible to moisture. Second, fix water leaks immediately and dry wet areas thoroughly within 24 hours of leaking. Prevent condensation around windows and pipes, and don’t install carpet in high-moisture areas.

3. Do All Molds Need To Be Remediated?

Regardless of the type of mold that is present in your home, it’s important to have the problem remediated. Water damage needs to be taken care of professionally to prevent mold problems.

There are many types of mold found in homes and all types need to be remediated. Fortunately, homeowners can be proactive in preventing mold growth from becoming a problem.

4 Things Insurance Companies Consider When Creating a Preferred Vendors List

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you provide before and after pictures from your business damaged by flooding.

Four Factors Insurance Companies Consider When Developing A Preferred Vendors List

Your insurance agent just gave you a list of their preferred disaster restoration professionals. You're probably wondering how they decided on this list. Here are some of the steps insurance companies use to decide on preferred vendors.

1. What They Offer

That list your insurance agent gave you will have similar companies. You will notice that they are well-known companies that are established in the remediation industry. They have the appropriate certifications and trained staff. Plus, they are capable of doing a variety of restoration work. Some may even be willing to work directly with your insurance company. This is not by mistake. Your insurance company sat down and searched out vendors in your area that offered the most desirable services.

2. How They Meet Requirements

Once they find potential vendors in Mariner, FL, insurance companies sit down with them and determine if they can work together. They discuss what the insurance company is looking for in a vendor. The vendor will propose how they meet these requirements. It will also likely supply examples of past work. For instance, a restoration company may provide before and after pictures from a business damaged by flooding.

3. If They Offer Quality Work

You'll notice the list your insurance agent gave you has multiple vendors on it. This is because multiple contractors can meet the requirements. All of these candidates have gone through the vetting process. This process is what your insurance company uses to ensure they offer quality work. Your insurance company will examine all of their potential candidates and include those who offer quality work and meet their other requirements.

4. If They Continue To Perform

Once in the vendor program, the process doesn't end. The companies are monitored continuously. Their work is reviewed, and they must continue to provide high-quality services.

To the excitement of clients, many insurance companies offer a preferred vendors list. Choosing one of the companies on these lists, such as SERVPRO, ensures you get quality work. This is because potential vendors go through an extensive vetting process to become a preferred company.

Preventing Mold Growth: Knowing Where Mold Can Grow

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Properly and safely removing mold is not an easy task. Call SERVPRO. Our team has the right equipment for the job.

Mold Prevention: Knowing Where Mold Can Grow

Water leaks, worn seals on windows and doors and poor ventilation can lead to the development of mildew and mold damage. To prevent this potentially costly disaster, it is wise to maintain and inspect areas of your home that lead to moisture infiltration.

1. Roofline

While it may not seem like it, your roofline is a prime location for mold and mildew growth, especially if you live in humid areas or areas where the temperature fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. For instance, frigid winters with heavy snowfalls that give way to hotter summers can lead to moisture buildup under shingles. Additionally, the variation of storms throughout the year can lead to minor holes in your roof that allow water to enter the attic space.

2. HVAC Systems

Ductwork and ventilation can often be hiding mold damage. Your HVAC system, if not properly sealed and cleaned, can house moisture and other elements that lead to the development of fungus. Additionally, leaks in your AC unit can cause leaks in ceilings and wall cavities.

3. Plumbing

Mold growth occurs in damp and dark areas. Therefore, if you experience a mold problem, it is likely near damaged plumbing. Pipes do not have to burst to lead to fungal growth. Pinhole leaks or even improper insulation leading to sweating can produce enough moisture to create the problem.

4. Doors and Windows

Additionally, poor seals around doors and windows can allow water to infiltrate the structure of your home, resulting in mold development. A mold remediation specialist in the Mariner, FL, area can perform an assessment to help you designate problem areas around your property and identify possible solutions.

Mold damage is a common problem amongst homeowners, but it is easily mitigated and even prevented. Knowing where to look and the common issues that arise will help you stay ahead of any potential problems with mildew and mold.

Common Causes of Sewage Backup

12/26/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded basement is an unpleasant mess for any homeowner, especially if the culprit is a sewage backup. Understanding the common causes of this issue can help you take proactive steps to avoid the disaster in your Punta Gorda, FL, home.

A Clogged Line

A clogged sewer or water line can result in significant flooding, and there are several situations that can cause a clog:
• Grease buildup along the pipe’s surface
• Tree root infiltration
• Broken or damaged pipes
• The presence of debris including paper towels, disposable wipes, and feminine hygiene products

To reduce the risks of your basement flooding and pipes backing up, you can take the following initiatives:
• Wipe grease from pots and pans with a paper towel or pour it into a can that you can dispose of in the trash
• Avoid planting trees or shrubs near sewage and water lines
• Never flush paper towels, wipes, diapers, tampons, or feminine napkins down the toilet

Because sewage lines are a shared amenity, being conscientious about how you discard waste and manage foliage can benefit the entire system and spare your neighbors the anguish of a flooded basement and messy sewage cleanup.

Excessive Rain Water

Significant rainfall can also have a detrimental impact on your community’s sewer system. If the system becomes overwhelmed with excessive rainwater, it can cause a backup inside your basement. To combat this dilemma, you can install a one-way floor drain or a backwater valve. Both devices are efficient flood deterrent tools that can restrict water from flowing back into your basement.

Professional Assistance

You can take proactive steps to reduce the risks of a flooded basement and backed-up pipes. However, if you have concerns about your home’s pipes or sewer line, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed plumber for advice and assistance. If flooding does occur, a local cleanup and restoration team can help you efficiently evaluate the damage, clean up the destruction, and restore your basement.

When Should You Change Smoke Alarm Batteries?

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

When Should Smoke Alarm Batteries Be Replaced?

Some smoke alarms contain batteries that should be changed every year. Others have long-life 10-year batteries or are hardwired to the electricity in your home. The following methods can help you determine the frequency with which you need to replace smoke alarm batteries.

Check the Power Source

There are three common fire alarm power sources:

• Replaceable nine-volt batteries
• Non-replaceable 10-year lithium long-life batteries
• Hardwired alarms with back-up batteries

Check the configuration of an alarm to identify the battery type. It is important to know which power source all of the alarms in your home use. Maintain fire alarms in every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area in addition to one alarm on each floor of your home, including the basement.

Regularly Test the Alarms

Test each smoke alarm on a monthly basis regardless of the power source. Most alarm units have a test button that you can press to ensure that the alarm is drawing power. If the test function does not work, try replacing the battery or alarm or scheduling repairs for a hardwired system. Do not wait to repair a malfunctioning smoke detector, as this device can save lives in the event of a fire.

Replace the Batteries

You should replace:

• Nine-volt batteries every year, and smoke detectors every 10 years
• 10-year long-life lithium detectors every 10 years
• Back-up batteries in hardwired alarms once a year

Maintaining a smoke alarm can help to insure the safety of the residents of your home in the event of a fire. Do not wait for a smoke detector to alert you that it has low power or needs to be replaced. Know the battery type and regularly test alarms to ensure that these devices are in working order. If a fire damages building materials or contents in your home, contact fire damage mitigation and restoration experts located in Mariner, FL.

Understand and Prevent Bathroom Mold

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

Like it or not, drifting mold spores are all around you in Punta Gorda, FL. The damp, humid environment of your bathroom practically sends out a personalized invitation to the spores. Once it starts to grow, you notice unsightly black spots on your grout, walls, or ceiling. If you have water damage in your bathroom, the mold growth may be faster and more significant.

Mold Prevention Techniques

Mold spreads at an alarming rate. Preventing spores from attaching in the first place is your best line of defense.

• Stagnant, humid air encourages mold growth.
• Use proper ventilation and air circulation in the bathroom as a preventative measure.
• Consider using a dehumidifier or a small air conditioning window unit.

Some easy ways to increase air movement are running the exhaust fan or opening a window during and after a shower. Constant moisture on surfaces is an ideal breeding ground for mold. If you have ongoing water damage in the bathroom, such as a leaking toilet or pipe, address the problem immediately. Reduce the amount of moisture on shower walls by wiping the interior with a dry towel or squeegee after use. For shower curtains, use a liner that is mildew resistant, and wash or replace the liner at the first sign of a problem. Replace caulk when moisture becomes trapped inside.

Mold Remediation Steps

When preventative methods do not work, take steps to remediate the problem. For mildew on shower grout, clean the area with a household cleaner, vinegar solution, or bleach. Do not attempt to clean mold that is extensive or has spread to the drywall, ceiling, or other parts of the bathroom. Oftentimes in these instances, there is more mold than is visible. Mold remediation experts use specialized equipment and containment procedures to safely remediate and restore the space.

Water damage, excessive moisture, and lack of ventilation all create the perfect environment for bathroom mold at your home in Punta Gorda, FL. Take preventative steps in your bathroom so that mold does not form. If you already have mold, immediately take measures to eliminate the problem.

What Makes Mold Grow in My House?

10/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you notice a musty smell in your home contact SERVPRO of Punta Gorda

How To Stop Mold Growth In Your Home

You probably wish mold would grow anywhere but in your home. Unfortunately, black mold seems to have other ideas, and happily gravitates toward the interior of your Mariner, FL, home. So just why is your house so attractive to mold, and what can you do to stop it?

You Probably Have a Moisture Problem

Actually, there’s no “probably” about it. Mold needs moisture to grow. Before it becomes the unsightly fuzzy patches of black mold that you know and hate, mold exists as invisible spores in the air. Those spores are essentially dormant until they come in contact with moisture, at which point they begin the next developmental stage and become the dreaded black mold infestation. Common sources of moisture include:

• Standing water from flooding
  
• High humidity in your environment
  
• Broken water mains
  
• Broken pipes
  
• Leaking roofs and windows
  
• Condensation from broken environments
  
  

Any one of these problems can be enough to trigger an explosion of black mold inside your home. Getting rid of the moisture can help to halt the spread of mold, but it’s not enough to get rid of the mold entirely.

So How Do You Handle Mold Cleanup?

The safest option is to contact a mold remediation specialist. Mold remediation specialists possess the tools and expertise needed to not only safely remove mold from your environment, but help you prevent it from reoccurring. Working with a mold specialist can help you understand the type of mold that has taken root in your home, and can often lead to identifying water damage or other issues that had previously gone undetected until the mold problem began.

While waiting for the specialist’s help, though, you can get a head start on disposing of contaminated materials and drying out waterlogged items. Do everything you can to contain the mold infestation and prevent it from spreading further until it can be destroyed.

How Do the Professionals Clean Mold?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

How Do Mold Removal Experts Work?

A diverse and natural part of the world, mold has proven to be more useful outdoors than in. It can provide a number of benefits but can also easily become a nuisance, driving many homeowners in Burnt Store, FL Mariner, to seek the assistance of professionals. Contrary to what many might assume, cleaning areas that have mold damage can take a considerable amount of time, effort and adequate equipment.

Trusting the Equipment

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make when addressing mold damage is improperly cleaning the affected area. Proper safety gear is a must, and professionals generally wear face masks to protect themselves from harmful chemicals. They may also wear sturdy gloves and use heavy-duty fans for further protection.

Tackling the Issue

When it comes to proactive methods for handling a mold problem, one aspect is certain: professional cleaning can ensure it goes away entirely. Using face masks and other protective equipment, mold professionals usually seal off the work area with plastic material to ensure toxins do not reach other parts of the home. Controlling where mold goes is a major factor in keeping an area clean; professionals may use various methods to manage mold.

Taking Charge

When face masks and plastic sheets are no longer required in the process, professionals typically dispose of any materials damaged by mold. They may also scout out potential problems that could arise in the future. Another common approach after a mold cleanup involves sealing off areas that are susceptible to mold growth.

At the end of the day, knowing that mold is no longer a problem is a reward in itself. Houses in Burnt Store, FL Mariner, with proper mold treatment may have lesser chances of showing signs of mold damage in the future. Whether it grows in your shower, kitchen, or laundry room, a trusted professional with the right equipment can help clear up the problem the right way.

Your Water Pipe Burst -- Now What? 4 Steps To Clean Up

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

Four Steps In Cleaning After Water Damage

Bursting pipes are no fun for homeowners in Fort Myers Shores, FL. Although your water pipes can break down for a number of different reasons, the potential hazards are the same: flooding, water damage, and even harmful mold. If a pipe breaks in your home, there are four steps you should take right away.

1. Immediately shut off the main water valve. The amount of damage done to your property is due in part to how quickly you discover the problem. Shutting off your water can help minimize any water damage that may have already begun. If you’re lucky, it should prevent any damage at all.

2. Avoid using electrical appliances. Stay far away from any electrical products. If you can do so safely, turn off your home’s electricity. It is dangerous—and even life-threatening—to come into contact with electricity while standing in water.

3. Call a plumber. Once you’ve turned off the water and ensured your safety by cutting the electricity, hire a plumber to fix the broken pipe. You should address the main offender, but you should also prevent further bursting pipes. While the plumber is at your house, he or she can do a full assessment of your plumbing and service other problem areas if necessary.

4. Call a cleanup service. The fallout from broken water pipes often requires quick intervention. Cleaning up can be an exhausting and time-consuming process. A cleanup service can take this job off your hands and also give you peace of mind that the job is being done correctly. These professionals are typically skilled in preventing and removing mold, eliminating standing water, and cleaning damaged items. The sooner you get help, the more likely you are to salvage your property.

If bursting pipes have damaged your house in Fort Myers Shores, FL, it’s important to take swift action. Turn off your water, keep yourself safe from electrical accidents, and call in the experts.